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st Patrick’s Day PARADe organised by The Swedish irish society

In almost every town in Ireland, the national day,
St Patrick’s Day (17th March), is celebrated with a parade. Thanks to a
long history of significant Irish emigration, a good deal of the
world’s cities now also celebrate this. In some places you go to only watch the parade, but in Sweden you get to be
the parade! The Stockholm parade is organised by The Swedish Irish Society and takes place on the weekend closest to
the 17th. Come join in as we walk through Stockholm putting a smile on
people’s faces! This years parade will be on Saturday the 16th Marchand check out more info here: St Patrick's Day Parade 2019

The 2019 Stockholm parade – Saturday 16th March

See the 2019 parade in action!

A video of the parade departing Kungstradgården was recorded independently and published publicly on YouTube by Our Man in Stockholm

What happened at the 2019 parade!

We gathered from 11:00 at Kungsträdgården (close to the stage). Children and adults could help make our snake that St. Patrick banished from Ireland, learn some words as Gaeilge, in Irish, join in on a Siege of Ennis set dancing session or get some tasty treats and trinkets at the stalls set up around. The Swedish Irish Society provided face-painting and handed out balloons.

At 13.00 the parade departed. We walked towards Humlegården before coming back down to Kungsträdgården for the concert of the day. St Patrick led the parade along side The Irish Ambassador to Sweden, the invited IUNVA Pipe Band (Irish United Nations Veteran Association), as always the impressive Stockholm Pipe Band, majestic wolfhounds from Greirish, some beautiful Connemara ponies, Irish terriers, Irish Glen of Imaal terriers, a giant snake (to symbolise the ones St Patrick banished from Ireland, according to legend), a rainbow leading to a pot of gold (associated with the mythical Irish creatures, leprechauns), and thousands of happy people! Groups such as Spuds and Sill drama group, the Irish Chamber of Commerce in Sweden and the Stockholm Gaels Gaelic football club participated under their banners.

Concert

On arrival back to Kungsträdgården there was a celebration of Irish music and dance featuring

Organisers

The parade is organised annually by volunteers from the Swedish Irish Society with support from the Irish Embassy in Sweden and with generous sponsorship from businesses in the community.

The parade is organised every year completely by volunteers, and as it has grown to an event that attracts over 2,000 people, we need all the help we can get! Got a little bit of time and energy to spare? Please get in touch at info@swedishirish.com. No special skills are needed for the majority of tasks. In return you’ll meet some nice people and be part of something special.

There is one thing you can definitely do to help: Renew your membership (or join up)! This is really important as without a strong society we cannot continue to organise the parade. It’s also a very practical way to show your appreciation. Read how you can renew/join.

And Who was this St Patrick fellow?

St Patrick is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. He must have had the gift of the gab (as we say about persuasive people who can spin a good tale) as the conversion happened remarkably quickly and peacefully. He is also credited with banishing snakes from Ireland, for which we are eternally grateful. :)

Supported by

Special thanks to sponsors of the 2019 parade

Michael O‘Dwyer Goldsmith. Originally from Ireland and now based in Liljeholmen, Stockholm. If you’re in the market for anything remotely sparkling, be sure and check them out:

“Michael O’Dwyer Goldsmiths love handcrafting the perfect piece of jewellery for you. We are not only a business, for us jewellery making is a passion. We love to see our customers happy and smiling when they leave us and look forward to seeing them when they return.”

The Irish Chamber of Commerce in Sweden is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to its Members. We are a professional community with the objective to promote and strengthen commercial collaboration, development and exchange between Swedish and Irish businesses.

Tourism Ireland provides information on Ireland as a holiday destination. Check out great holiday ideas and deals on Ireland.com.

Strengthening the cultural bonds between Sweden and Ireland – and having fun while we do it!